With all the salads I’ve created in my career, somehow I never did a wedge salad. Creamy Wedge Salad with Homemade Croutons is posh, fab and so simple, it’s a crime not to try it. The cool thing here is that it’s literally just a wedge; no crazy salad chopping for hours to create this wow dish. That gives you time for the croutons and dressing.

Times

Prep time: 10
Cook time: 45
Ready time: 55 min

Servings

4 to 6

Ingredients

2 small head garlic, cut in half horizontally
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 cup cubed day old bread
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
¼ cup regular or light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons plain soy milk
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large head iceberg lettuce, cut into wedges
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
¼ cup diced red onion

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place garlic and 1 tablespoon olive oil on a large square of foil. Wrap tightly and bake for 45 minutes or until soft. Let cool.

Heat remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet. Add bread and sauté over medium high heat, stirring constantly, for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and set aside.

In a small bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise, soy milk, vinegar and pepper. Squeeze cooled roasted garlic with your hand so the softened cloves come out like a paste. Add to mixture and whisk to combine or shake in a jar with a lid until smooth. Can be made 1 day ahead – if too thick, thin with a few drops of water to reach desired consistency.

To serve, place wedges of lettuce on salad plates. Divide tomatoes, onion and croutons between plates. Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.

Jamie Geller is the best selling author of the Quick & Kosher cookbook series (Quick & Kosher Recipes From The Bride Who Knew Nothing and Quick & Kosher Meals in Minutes From The Bride Who Knew Nothing, Feldheim Publishers). She is also a “mompreneur” and co-founder of the Kosher Media Network, which recently launched a social network for foodies called www.JoyofKosher.com as well as the print magazine Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller.